Meet Christina Hergenrader

Where is your favorite place to write? We have a little cottage down at Galveston’s beach, and I love to write there. I grew up in Galveston, so it’s partly the contentment of coming home. But it’s also the being near the water, seeing the miracle of God’s creation, and resting in His power. And it’s much quieter there than our house here in Katy, Texas, which is always bustling with plans and obligations.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? I would go to one of the cool campgrounds in Texas. Our family loves to camp, but too often our weekends are filled up with commitments and we can’t get away. Maybe life will slow down when our kids are teenagers? Kidding!

Coffee or tea? Oh, I’m so glad you asked this. I love hot tea. I may need some sort of intervention here. I take the kids to the tea store, and we try all the flavors. I even bought a dehydrator to make my own. When I speak to women’s groups, I bring Love Rules jasmine tea to share. It has jasmine, candied pineapple pieces, and strawberries, my favorite tea combination.

What is the first thing you do when you wake up? I get up very early to write. Our youngest daughter, Elisabeth, will come downstairs as soon as she hears me, so I tiptoe around, trying not to make any noise. We eat a big breakfast, so I usually get some part of that started and then dive into whatever project I’m working on.

What is your favorite holiday? Easter, for sure. I love celebrating Jesus’ victory over death. The music and services are my favorites. Plus, spring in Texas is glorious (compared to, say, summer, which is really hot with air so thick it feels like you’re stepping into a dryer).

What is the most difficult part about writing a book for you? The last bit, the editing. I’m a big-picture person, so when I get to the part where I’m taking commas out and putting the same ones back in, I kind of want to scream. I’m much better at the beginning, big-idea part of the process.

What encourages you? Kind words are my love language. I think this is why I enjoy speaking to groups so much. I love sharing the message of “Jesus loves you!” face-to-face. This is how some understand the Gospel best.

Who is the person you admire the most? My husband, Mike. I need 10,000 words to say something he can say in five. This is especially true of his faith. He is so smart in a way that flabbergasts me. He is a silent servant who can fix anything. Eighteen years of marriage (with 4 kids), and I have never plunged a toilet. That’s saying a lot about my husband.

What are you hoping that readers get out of your new Bible study, Love Rules? God loves you! The book is forty redemption stories from real women who are struggling to follow Jesus. Every one of the stories is a picture of God’s love for us. I hope Love Rules helps women better understand God’s redemption in their own lives.

What is your favorite Bible verse? I love the powerful (and simple) news in 2 Corinthians 5:17. New creation! YES! It’s as straightforward as that. Life in Christ means every ragged, sinful part of me is now new.

What advice do you want to give to future generations? Live a life of constant forgiveness. Every year, I understand what this means a little better. The more I realize how much I need forgiveness, the more I understand how much everyone around me does too. Living in that forgiveness is like putting on a new pair of glasses. Ah, yes—this is the prescription I’ve been looking for. Jesus’ sacrifice! God’s grace! Yes, Holy Spirit. More of this!

If you could live anywhere, where would it be? So lame, but right here. Our school, friends, church, and family are in Katy, Texas, so this is exactly where we should be too. And we love our house. I tell the story of buying this house in Love Rules because it’s one of my favorites about God’s (surprising!) sovereignty.

If you could go back in time, who is the one person you would want to talk with? Jesus, of course. Is that the Sunday School answer? It’s probably the one everyone gives because—wow!—how amazing would that be? I would ask Him so many questions, but I would also love to watch Him. I struggle to confront those I care about. I would watch Jesus tell the truth to people who need to hear it. Maybe I could better understand how to share truth in love.

Do you have any pets? Our main pet is a retired racing greyhound, Manny. He is the laziest dog we have ever had. Manny is very calm and exactly what our chaotic house needs. We also have dozens of guppies (we started with just a male and female, so you can imagine what happened here), various four-legged reptiles, and a neurotic hamster.

What is your ideal date night? Every summer, our kids go away to a Lutheran camp, and Mike and I spend the week dating. We nap a lot, go on runs, watch bands, and explore a new city. Mostly we boycott our to-do lists, which is the very best part.

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Concordia Publishing House (CPH) is the publisher of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) dedicated to spreading the Gospel message of Jesus Christ throughout the whole world. CPH publishes over 8,000 products for churches, homes (individuals and families), and schools including Bibles, Bible studies, curriculum, Vacation Bible School (VBS), Sunday School, worship resources, church supplies, Spanish resources, and other Christian books and gifts.